Gluttony Diaries : Guide to Iconic Eateries of Pune
In years of being here, I have spent quite some time in exploring the food scenario in Pune.
Pune or Poona as it was called earlier - is the second largest city in the state of Maharashtra, it was once the base of the Peshwas of the Maratha Empire.
It is called the "Queen of the Deccan", and was the cultural capital of the Marathas.
I am listing few of the iconic eateries in Pune - the ones I have personally explored.
In my so many years of being here - it is a shame that I haven't explored every nook and corner of the city - but nevertheless.🙈
Pune or Poona as it was called earlier - is the second largest city in the state of Maharashtra, it was once the base of the Peshwas of the Maratha Empire.
It is called the "Queen of the Deccan", and was the cultural capital of the Marathas.
I am listing few of the iconic eateries in Pune - the ones I have personally explored.
In my so many years of being here - it is a shame that I haven't explored every nook and corner of the city - but nevertheless.🙈
- Marz-o-rin
Marz-o-rin opened its door in 1965.The building where it is established is apparently more than a 50 plus years old. Started by Mr.Sheriar J.Sheriyarji - it is one of the first cafes in Pune.
This place has the likes of the young and the elderly equally.
Among the few legendary cafes of Pune, it's location and old charm building is what adds to its beauty, making it historic as well - located in the busy bylanes of MG Road, this place has its own fan following.
The decor of the place is quaint with a wooden staircase taking you to the restaurant - it has a seating arrangement of about 20 to 30 tables. The tables by the patio are best to enjoy a quick evening snack - see the bustling streets of MG Road.
The menu isn't anything fancy - they sell a variety of sandwiches, burgers , spaghetti , slush ,vegan alternatives and bakery items. Their plum cake is 💕.
Self service - pay first system
Do Try : Sandwiches , Spaghetti , Bakery Items , Slush , Plum Cake
Address : Bakhtiyar Plaza, 6
MG Road, Pune
A favourite student hangout place - located right within 100m from the Fergusson College. This is said to be another of the must go places in Pune - a legendary eatery specialising in South India cuisine along with sandwiches, beverages and other fast food items.
There was a waiting time for almost 15-20 minutes before we could get ourself a table - a little unorganised. 😏
I must mention their Filter Coffee which was one of the authentic ones I have had in Pune - very similar to what we get in Bangalore. Absolutely, strikes the balance and hits the right chord in the taste genre - freshly brewed and aromatic.
The Masala Dosa served with sambhar and coconut chutney was well attempted - the dosa was crispy and it was smeared graciously with spicy aloo sabji - it is another of their best seller here.
Do Try: FIlter Coffee, Masala Dosa, Idli
Address : 1218/1, FC Road
Pune
We had the the pani puri but of course because if we see pani puri, we ought to have it. 😂It was good - could have been more spicier and chatpata.
Address : Near Aurora Towers, MG Road
Pune
Do Try : Sandwiches , Spaghetti , Bakery Items , Slush , Plum Cake
Address : Bakhtiyar Plaza, 6
MG Road, Pune
- Pasteur Ice-cream Parlour
Next to Marz-o-rin, is the Pasteur Ice cream parlour - which along with a variety of ice-creams also sells quick snacks like puffs, chaat , juice , parathas , pizza, sundaes and many more dishes.
For me this place has been my goto for their softies - creamy and chilled!
Seating is barely available here - it is damn crowded - you need to walk afront to enjoy your softy.
Do Try : Softy
Address: 6, MG Road - Opposite Bombay Store
Pune
For me this place has been my goto for their softies - creamy and chilled!
Seating is barely available here - it is damn crowded - you need to walk afront to enjoy your softy.
Do Try : Softy
Address: 6, MG Road - Opposite Bombay Store
Pune
- Vaishali
A favourite student hangout place - located right within 100m from the Fergusson College. This is said to be another of the must go places in Pune - a legendary eatery specialising in South India cuisine along with sandwiches, beverages and other fast food items.There was a waiting time for almost 15-20 minutes before we could get ourself a table - a little unorganised. 😏
I must mention their Filter Coffee which was one of the authentic ones I have had in Pune - very similar to what we get in Bangalore. Absolutely, strikes the balance and hits the right chord in the taste genre - freshly brewed and aromatic.
The Masala Dosa served with sambhar and coconut chutney was well attempted - the dosa was crispy and it was smeared graciously with spicy aloo sabji - it is another of their best seller here.
Do Try: FIlter Coffee, Masala Dosa, Idli
Address : 1218/1, FC Road
Pune
- Goodluck Cafe
A legendary and iconic Irani cafe cum restaurant - established in the 1935 by Hussain Ali Yakshi is one of the oldest Irani places in the city, re-affirming the Iranian food culture in Pune. Serving for over 8 decades now - it is famous for its Irani chai, bun muska and mutton kheema.
The Irani food game is quite strong in Pune with multiple food joints established in the city.
Not a very fancy place - cramped up & crowded tables - yet it has found a place in the heart of Punekars. I won’t vouch so much for the cleanliness, having seen the storage of the buns, it was slightly disappointing .😏
I tried the Irani chai which was good - but not the best of course.
Do Try: Chai, Bun Muska, Omelette , Mutton Keema
Address : Bakthiar Plaza, 6
MG Road, Pune
The Irani food game is quite strong in Pune with multiple food joints established in the city.
Not a very fancy place - cramped up & crowded tables - yet it has found a place in the heart of Punekars. I won’t vouch so much for the cleanliness, having seen the storage of the buns, it was slightly disappointing .😏
I tried the Irani chai which was good - but not the best of course.
Do Try: Chai, Bun Muska, Omelette , Mutton Keema
Address : Bakthiar Plaza, 6
MG Road, Pune
- Karachi Sweets
We had the the pani puri but of course because if we see pani puri, we ought to have it. 😂It was good - could have been more spicier and chatpata.
Pune
- Irani cafe
Irani Cafes, a Persian venture are effortlessly continuing to carve a niche in Pune. Like all the Irani Cafe, you have to bear with the fair share of queue.😕This is one of the fancy restaurants compared to the other Irani cafes in town - the younger generation carrying the legacy of their forefathers - with a slight attempt to maintain the ambiance and decor slightly upbeat from the other Irani Cafes and not very chalu.
They serve varieties of chai, bun , sandwich, biryanis and pulao.
Undeniably the bun muska with dollops of butter and the Irani chai remain my hot favourite till this day. It is a divine combo - and call me at any point of time and I am in, to be have. They serve a variety of omelettes - the CHEESE OMELETTE was good - but was an overdose of the oozing cheese. It would be an absolute love for hard core cheese lovers.
Do try : Chai, Bun Muska, Omelette, Black Irani Chai!
Address: Shop 3, KONARK ICON
Next to Maruti Show Room
Magarpatta City, Hadapsar
- Touche, The Place
A must go place if you are a sizzler lover - run by Parsi family since generation, this place is a legend in dishing out some of the best sizzler.
As you enter the restaurant , the sound of the sizzles are definite to get your mouth watery. Serving a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian sizzlers, they have garnered a lot of attention from the locals. Every sizzler has a bed of rice , sautéed veggies, particulars of the choice of your sizzler and delicious potato chips. Make sure to order something thanda to go with it.
With the ability to accommodate about 20-30 people - they have mezzanine seating - a little compact - but worth the effort for this legendary place.
Make sure to build your appetite, to be able to finish one full sizzler - personally I haven't been able to finish even half.
Address : 119, Moledina Road, Camp
Pune
- Blue Nile
Oh, the visit, to this place was years ago - and I don't have any pictures from my visit nor takeaways. A very canteen feel like eating setup then and thronged by meat lovers.
Renamed from Nanking Cafe to Blue Nile - this has been in business since the 1960's.
Renamed from Nanking Cafe to Blue Nile - this has been in business since the 1960's.
I absolutely loved their tandoori chicken with a chilled glass of coke - aur life main kya chahiye! They are known for their Irani style of cooking - especially biryani, chicken masala among the others.
Do Try: Tandoori Chicken, Chicken Biryani
Address: 102, Bund Garden Road
Agarkar Nagar, Pune
- Vohuman Cafe
My first tryst with Iranian cum Parsi food was with Vohuman Cafe - another famous college hangout spot and an iconic one too, in its own way. Started by Hormuz Irani in 1978 - this place is nostalgia for many. Even after the revamp, if you aren't queuing for a table there, is your visit worthwhile?!😂
The bun muska,chai and the omelettes are what you queue up for - for the day you can give the calorie count a miss!! 😎
It is commendable how they manage the crowd - serving orders as quickly as possible. The one thing that is eye-catchy is the guy at the counter handling takeaways and having a huge pot filled with butter. 🧈
They have maintained the hygiene standards and provide a homely vibe. Earlier you would find uncle, who left for his heavenly abode, always striking a conversation with the youngsters.
You would never be disappointed with a visit here - its loyal customers would vouch for it.
Do try : Chai, Bun Muska, Omlette
Near Ruby Hall, Sangamwadi
Pune
- RamKrishna
Right opposite the lane hosting "The Place", is this multi cuisine family restaurant which has been there since the 1974.A complete vegetarian restaurant serving some delicious food - you would find families enjoying their weekend lunch or dinner here - it is bustling with people at every hour.
Each of the dishes have a distinct flavour - their north Indian dishes are my favourite - the veg kofta, paneer tikka, spring rolls are awesome.
Moledina Road, Camp
Pune
- Prem's
Prem's - the multi cuisine place which has found a fondness for itself among-st Pune-ites. Although, I have had mixed experiences here - ranging from excellent food to not so satisfying ones.
I hear it has been in the city from the 1986, started by a Sikh couple - Prem Pal Sharma and his wife who had moved from South Africa. 😎They used to serve the tourists visiting the Osho Ashram in the vicinity - which is when they transformed from being a pure vegetarian restaurant to serving non-vegetarian dishes as well.
The speciality of the place is it's alfresco seating - rests under the beautiful lapse of nature - like dining under a tree canopy.
Their menu is a variety serving Indian, continental and Chinese cuisine. 😊
One of my favourite here was the NON VEG PLATTER - a thoughtful mixture of the best in the genre of starters and kebabs, each succulent pieces of chicken having a distinct taste. The dishes ranged from RESHMI KEBAB, MALAI TIKKA, SEEKH KEBAB, TANDOORI CHICKEN - were mouth watering-ly good. 😋
I hear it has been in the city from the 1986, started by a Sikh couple - Prem Pal Sharma and his wife who had moved from South Africa. 😎They used to serve the tourists visiting the Osho Ashram in the vicinity - which is when they transformed from being a pure vegetarian restaurant to serving non-vegetarian dishes as well.
The speciality of the place is it's alfresco seating - rests under the beautiful lapse of nature - like dining under a tree canopy.
Their menu is a variety serving Indian, continental and Chinese cuisine. 😊
One of my favourite here was the NON VEG PLATTER - a thoughtful mixture of the best in the genre of starters and kebabs, each succulent pieces of chicken having a distinct taste. The dishes ranged from RESHMI KEBAB, MALAI TIKKA, SEEKH KEBAB, TANDOORI CHICKEN - were mouth watering-ly good. 😋
Do Try : Nov-veg platter, Cheesecake , Chocolate Cake
North Main Road, Koregaon Park
Pune
- Sujata Mastani
Come summer, and MANGO MASTANI is the forever order every weekend. A mind blowing thick delicious mango milkshake with that one scoop of ice-cream and dry fruits garnishing is what is the Puneri dessert. Started back in 1967, it serves mastanis, ice-creams , milkshakes and has over 20 outlets in the city. Story goes that it is named after Bajirao's second wife Mastani.
Do Try : Mango Mastani, Sitaphal Mastani , Dry Fruit Milkshake
Address : Shop 2, 154/1
P.S Tower, Near Noble Hospital,
Magarpatta, Hadapsar
Pune
- Chaitanya Paratha
This was quite sought after, way before delivery apps made it easier to order in from here. Remember having visiting the Viman Nagar outlet - a small restaurant with a place for 10-15 odd tables and people queuing up for a table.
Offering a variety of parathas and thalis - which are served with curd, salad and pickle to the thali - you are meant to have an empty tummy before you venture here. The parathas so soft, delicious and flavourful.
They have many new addition to their menu as well.
Address : C4, Kraft Complex
Offering a variety of parathas and thalis - which are served with curd, salad and pickle to the thali - you are meant to have an empty tummy before you venture here. The parathas so soft, delicious and flavourful.
They have many new addition to their menu as well.
Do Try : Paratha , Lassi
Address : C4, Kraft Complex
Hindu Cooperative Society, Viman Nagar
Pune
Cheers to life!!
~Believe in yourself always!
P.S. All the above photos have been clicked by me. 😊
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